Senior Operations Specialist (Water)

HDR; Tennessee; Hybrid; USD 71,960 - 128,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Tuition reimbursement

Paid time off

Job summary

A leading engineering firm is seeking a Senior Operations Specialist for municipal and industrial water treatment projects. This position involves troubleshooting, client interfacing, and managing maintenance projects. Applicants should have a minimum of 10 years of related experience along with a high school diploma or higher. A commitment to the company's employee-owned culture is essential. The role includes some travel across the central US, with a comprehensive benefits package offered.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of field experience troubleshooting at water treatment facilities.
• Experience with Microsoft Office and maintenance management systems is preferred.
• Commitment to employee-owned culture, valid driver’s license required.

Responsibilities

• Support HDR project leaders on water treatment projects.
• Review drawings for operability and conduct HazOps analysis.
• Manage operations and maintenance projects with various clients.
• Develop startup and commissioning plans and perform training.
• Participate in testing to ensure capacity requirements are met.

Skills

Troubleshooting mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation equipment

Interpreting engineering plans and specifications

Microsoft Office proficiency

Experience with management systems

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

High-level water treatment operator license or professional engineering license

Job description

Join to apply for the Senior Operations Specialist (Water) role at HDR.

We are looking for an energetic, hard‑working problem solver to become a full‑time Senior Operations Specialist working on both municipal and industrial water treatment facilities. You will be part of our East Region team and a key member of HDR’s nationwide Operations Team, helping clients manage water for generations to come.

The work location will be at the HDR office closest to your current location. Please check the HDR website nearest to you.

About Us
For over 100 years, HDR has specialized in engineering, architecture, environmental and construction services. HDR has nearly 13,000 employee owners worldwide and is ranked in the top 10 of water design firms.

At HDR, we know work isn’t only about who you work for; it’s also about what you do and how you do it. Led by our employee‑ownership values, we collaborate to make great things possible.

Primary Responsibilities

• Support HDR project leaders at the local, state, and regional level on water treatment projects requiring input from Operations Specialists.
• Review drawings for operability review and HazOps analysis with an eye for what it takes to successfully operate a variety of treatment processes.
• Manage operations and maintenance projects with municipal and industrial clients, including client interfacing, regulatory reporting, personnel, subcontractor, and maintenance management.
• Develop startup and commissioning plans and host workshops to share those ideas with clients’ contractors and operators.
• Perform startup and commissioning of new water treatment facilities, working alongside contractors and engineers.
• Perform formal and informal training to help our clients’ treatment plants operate at peak performance.
• Participate in testing of facilities to ensure they meet capacity requirements after startup.
• Perform condition assessment and asset management tasks on water and wastewater facilities.
• Perform operational or maintenance troubleshooting and evaluations on municipal and industrial water facilities.

Work will involve a base of projects in the southern portion of the central United States, with additional sites across the country. The position may require 30–40% travel, with weekend travel normally not required.

Strongly Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of field experience troubleshooting mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation equipment at water treatment facilities.
• High‑level water treatment operator license or professional engineering license.
• Ability to interpret engineering plans and specifications.
• Experience with Microsoft Office and computerized maintenance and management systems.
• Commitment to our employee‑owned culture.
• Valid driver’s license.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Experience with Microsoft Office.
• Relevant general background.
• Commitment to our employee‑owned culture.

Benefits

We provide a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, employee assistance program, paid time away, parental leave, paid holidays, a retirement savings plan with employer match, employee referral bonus, and tuition reimbursement. Expected compensation range: $71,960 – $128,500 depending on skills, experience, education, and location.

Locations

Primary Location: United States – Virginia – Vienna

Other Locations: United States – West Virginia, United States – Ohio – Cincinnati, United States – North Carolina – Charlotte, United States – Georgia, United States – New York – East Syracuse, United States – Florida – Doral, United States – Alabama – Mobile, United States – Florida – Fort Lauderdale, United States – Pennsylvania – Bethlehem, United States – North Carolina – Wilmington, United States – Tennessee – Nashville, United States – Florida – Panama City, United States – New Jersey – Newark, United States – Maine, United States – Ohio, United States – Florida, United States – District of Columbia – Washington DC, United States – Maryland – Lusby, United States – New York – White Plains, United States – Florida – Tallahassee, United States – Mississippi – Jackson area, United States – South Carolina – Charleston, United States – Virginia – Roanoke, United States – Maryland, United States – New York – Albany, United States – South Carolina – Columbia, United States – Delaware, United States – New York, United States – Florida – Orlando, United States – Pennsylvania – Pittsburgh, United States – Virginia, United States – New York – Syracuse, United States – Massachusetts, United States – Pennsylvania – Philadelphia, United States – Virginia – Glen Allen, United States – Arkansas, United States – Virginia – Virginia Beach, United States – Florida – Miami, United States – Massachusetts – Boston, United States – Kentucky, United States – New Jersey – Pennington, United States – New Jersey, United States – Connecticut – Rocky Hill, United States – New York – New York, United States – Georgia – Savannah, United States – Arkansas – Little Rock, United States – Pennsylvania – Mechanicsburg, United States – North Carolina – Winston‑Salem, United States – Alabama, United States – Virginia – Alexandria, United States – Tennessee, United States – Kentucky – Louisville, United States – North Carolina – Greensboro, United States – Georgia – Atlanta, United States – South Carolina – Greenville, United States – Maine – Portland, United States – Pennsylvania – Plymouth Meeting, United States – South Carolina, United States – Tennessee – Memphis, United States – Virginia – Richmond, United States – New Jersey – Woodcliff Lake, United States – North Carolina, United States – Florida – Jacksonville, United States – Connecticut, United States – Pennsylvania, United States – North Carolina – Raleigh, United States – Ohio – Cleveland, United States – Florida – Tampa, United States – Florida – West Palm Beach, United States – West Virginia – Charleston, United States – Mississippi, United States – Ohio – Columbus, United States – Rhode Island, United States – Kentucky – Lexington.

Industry

Water

Schedule

Full‑time

Employment Status

Regular

Business Class

WW Treatment and Effluent Mgmt

Job Posting Date

Dec 31, 2025

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrests, and conviction records.